willem

Hi , I was just curious , You mentioned something about Moon San in another thread and a rep. just wrote to me on another site with a good deal for it . I am booked elsewhere but was curious because it was interesting to us ... We are not switching , just for future reference . I appreciate your positive Jamaica remarks along with Liza and some others , the negativity does tend to freak you out a bit !!

tivertonhouse

Willem: We used to book guests into this property but it seemed to have too many 'issues' without resolution so dropped it. It's probably the least expensive villa on the Blue Lagoon, though set back a distance from the water. Carolyn Barrett uses it as a stop-off overnight primarily for guests about to hike, like Holly this week, up into the Blue Mts. Portee's a tough one to find really good accomodations in, outside of the US$6K+/week villas on the Blue Hole. Fern Hill, Gully Hill, some sweet but very simple cottages near Winifred Beach and on Long Bay are good possibles. Most of the older well-known places are a bit down on their heels/that may well change with new ownership and the changeover of Dragon Bay into a Sandals, plus the dredging of the channel and port. This lack of
accomodations keeps Portee off the beaten track -- it's a wondrous, lush place you might just fall in love with forever...

willem

Thanx for the reply ! We decided on Goblin Hill , I think it will suit our needs . With 2 kids it seemed the most convenient . Dragon Bay would have been perfect but we are a bit too late !! We are not renting a car so Goblin Hill seemed the most convenient choice . We will use Derrons to pick us up in Kingston and also for little tours etc. Someone made a perfect comment about Port Antonio ; that its hotels have an air of faded splendor !!!Bye

Kath

Willem

I think your trip sounds wonderful. Please post a trip report when you return!

andreaac

Willem,

Ah, Dragon Bay! I was fortunate to have stayed ther back in 1999. It is a georgeous property. The buildings are like a Spanish Villas with the red-tiled roofs, etc. Now that Sandals has taken over, I can assure you it will be a high end resort (by that I mean the $$$$ they will charge per night. Many of us former Dragonites will be prices-out. Besides, I'm not a fan of the all-inclusive theme. I'm curious to see how Sandals will upgrade this resort.

willem

Yes , We are sad we missed it , would have been perfect with the kids . All the info. is a little dated for p.a. Some places list both Dragon Bay and Navy Island Resort as still open . I wonder how much this big new chain will change P.A. They are going to market it as an upscale spa resort , a boutique hotel . As well , the marina will cater to smaller boutique cruise ships .Do you have any fave spots ... Tips ... etc Faith P.S. And if you have happened to read some of my other postings you know I have been a bit freaked out by the safety thing and negative Jamaica stuff ! Perhaps I have read and researched too much !! Thanx Faith

tivertonhouse

Goblin Hill and Derrons good choices.
'Faded splendour' the perfect term, with an overlay of 1940s and 'Chinatown', esp.when marlin season and big gamblers in town.Lunch at Blue Lagoon or DeMontevin Lodge can be fun. Head for Boston Bay, Long Bay for best beaches, vistas. See 'The Mighty Quinn' w/Denzel Washington shot in Portee, b4 you go for a good feel of the vibe, if a tad more Hollywoodized.

Kath

Is this Blue Hole area the same one that they use in the advertisement for Air Jamaica with the big houses sitting right on the water, no beaches, but beautiful water. I have always wanted to go there. Is this "portee?

liza

Yup, those villas are right by Blue Lagoon, also called the Blue Hole. Not exactly on it, sort of around the corner but easily accessible by boat or foot. Most of those villas come with kayaks.

Not cheap though....

liza

PS: There is another "Blue Hole", not far from Negril, but it's different, no villas there.

jray

You are talking about Roaring Rivers

willem

Tivertonhouse , I have allready seen it along with about 5 other bad but fun Hollwood movies ! Club Paradise has some great shots , and actually Lord of the Flies was quite good . Fun to show the kids , this is where we are going ! My son asked if he could be jungle boy when he saw the swinging vines and his new fave outfit is underwear !! And it is going to be -32 tonite in Montreal !! Jamaica is looking very good ! Diny on virtual tourist has super travel reports and photos of Jamaica and Portie and is actually there right now for at least the third time to Port Antonio . She takes her kids etc. and should have a super report towards the end of the month . Merci !! Faith

willem

Had to add this , supposedly Harrison Ford loves Jamaica and frequently flies by helicopter from Strawberry Hill to THe Blue Lagoon , takes a dip , eats his lunch and off he goes !!! I am not really a star gazer but that is rather cool . And I heard the lagoon is great for virility ! He is smart as well !! All in good fun , I am loosening up Liza ! RELAX Faith !

liza

I hear Barbara Bush (the president's daughter, not mother) just returned from a vacation in Jamaica last week...

Blue Lagoon is really neat to swim in because it's hard to sink...I'm not sure why, maybe just the pressure of the spring under there, but you can float in just about any position.

Right jray, the other Blue Hole is at Roaring River.

andreaac

Willem, be mindful of some of the information you come across on the web. Much information can be dated. Navy Island has been closed for some time now and has been up for sale. When I went to Navy Island the place was very run-down and was deserted. There were still tours to the island and the restaurant/bar was operational the last time I visited. See if you can visit NI when you get to the area. The place has a really haunting feel to it and was memorable for me.

jray

Lime Cay is also a beautiful spot. I've spent many a weekends there. Very laid back - this is where the monied folks from Kingston usually hang out.

willem

Andreac / That was exactly what I was stating in my post , That the info. on the web is dated and those 2 spots were actually listed as open . I know they are closed . It was to state the aura that surrounds Port Antonio ; rather lost in time , I think that is what makes it seem special !!! Thanx for the info. anyway ! Faith

willem

Oh ! And we will definitely try to visit Navy Island if we are still allowed , I read somewhere that the govt. bought and plan to refurbish it . Hope we can still visit . And does anyone know why the Blue Lagoon villas are under 3 different names .... Just curious ! Thanx again , Faith

liza

They book as one from that web site but BL villas have different owners.